Need advice on whether to keep car.

[S4BluDvL]

Just got a nice raise and am getting a little restless with the A4. I either want to BT it (w/ clutch, fmic, supporting hardware), put c/o's on, body kit it, OR go with a 335i, e46 M3 or e46 330ci. The e46 body style is sex imo.

Anyways, here are some of the factors I'm looking at:

(1) Denver's climate is not great for RWD cars, i.e. moderate snow during winter.

(2) I only drive 9 miles each way to work, in pretty much traffic. This means looks of the car > performance.

(3) An e46 M3 ('04 or so) would be almost 4 times what I paid for my b6a4.

(4) I love to do my own work on my cars, and b6a4 is pretty easy to work on.

(5) coupe > sedan for me at this point.

(6) Could keep the a4, throw a BT on it, fmic, etc.

Basically I'm stuck between throwing more money into the a4 or going something different. I could also keep the a4 and get a bike, to quench my speed lust. Open to other thoughts. What do you guys think?

[cyclo]

This a hard one. At first I thought M3 hands down, then I read about the snow, the short slow drive, working on your own car...hmmmm, now I'm as confused as you. I'd probably keep my A4 put money into it as I got it and bank/invest the rest.OR....cancel the M3 dreams and get the new A5 (or S5 if you can afford it). Right now our economy sucks, gas is going to get way more expensive so take the more fuel efficient engine and ank your money so you can ride out this bad economy. How much would it suck if you bought into the new lifestyle that your raise afforded you and then got downsized? Even if that's not your worry, I'd still go with the car that I know intimately as opposed to another car that might have hidden problems. Plus after the mods you're talking about your car will be more than fast enough for a 9 mile commute. I walked by a blue M3 this morning and groaned audibly when I saw how sexy it was but if I had a bunch of money right now I'd keep my A4 (which I love), get rid of some debt and save the rest. Of course if the amount was big enough I'd put some aside to get my car to stage 3 [:D]

[S4BluDvL]

Excellent advice. Thanks for the thoughtful response! I'm hoping to get responses like that from more AZ'ers.

[Doss]

Here ya go Blu.

By level of cost (lowest to highest)

Put a BT on the A4.

If you're not going to be racing the car everywhere, a E46 330 ZHP sounds like it is up your alley. It's pretty fast.

Then, there's the E46 M3 (I also think the E46 is hotness). Great car, but not worth it if you are just going point A to B.

Next, the E92 335.



Your main problem sounds like it's going to be the snow.


So, you have to ask yourself, what do you plan on doing with the car? Until you answer that, I can't give you a full suggestion.

The important thing to consider first is your personal debt. If you are in debt, keep the A4 and get done paying your debt first.

[S4BluDvL]

AFA debt is concerned, just law school loans, mortgage and car. No CC's at all. The mortgage and law school loans are 30 years, and the law school loans are at 2.875% so no rush there.

My use will be 80% commute and regular driving (i.e. the weekend drive, weekend road trip). 10% drives up to the mountains to snowboard (Clearly would not take the M up, my wife has a Jeep for that). The other 10% would be the 2-3 times a year I'd like to auto-x or track my car. Maybe 1 trip to the drag strip. That about sums up my auto usage. Whatcha think? Seems like the 330 as a maximum option huh?

The other thing about the A4 is that I got it on the cheap, and if I wanted to be smart, I could get another B6 (2005) in a year or so to replace my 2002 and just swap parts over.

Oh yea, and a big driving force for considering another car is speed. My b5s4 ruined me in terms of speed. Several months and the PPD still exists. The A4 just isn't there, but woud be pretty quick with a BT. I wouldn't go K04 because the cost/benefit just doesn't seem to exist for me.

[Doss]

Ok, I think the last thing I'd do is trade up to another B6 A4.

This is definitely my last foray into small motor turbo cars. They suck. I think the minimum engine size for a vehicle with a turbo should be 2.5L. Why? B/c this motor sucks off turbo.

<off milk crate>

The 330 ZHP is a great car. It has the M-inspired interior, sportier suspension, and slightly more powerful motor (inconsequential really).


Honestly though, I'd try and knock that house payment down to 15 years (for less than 33&#37; more than your 30 year payment, you can pay it off in half the time).

I won't lecture you though, if you want to pay for your house 2.5 times then that's your call.

In the end, it's probably best that you keep the A4 and mod it.

When you decide you want a newer, larger car, then upgrade.

If you want more performance and less utility, get the 335i Coupe.

[KnivesOut]

drive the a4 into the ground, save the money from the raise, you will be able to buy a nicer car down the road. don't fall prey to the golden handcuffs and adjust your standard of living up to every raise. solamente mi dos centavos.